CD Reviews

Oregon's Journey

Cosette Sondai | Minneapolis, Minnesota | 03/05/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The eclectic blend of Classical, Jazz, and Eastern/World music of the superb music group Oregon, never ceases to captivate those who hear them. From the very first album that acquired critical attention from this group "Winter Light" in 1974... audiences worldwide have have been enraptured by Oregon's sound... Giving voice as the group does to unexplored vibrant new innovation.. in a varied blend utilizing their signature improvisational effect...and weaving a tapestry of colors and shapes in ther unique stylized sound,"Always, Never & Forever" continues the rich legacy of Oregon. Featured percussionist, Trilok Gurtu joins the seminal "World Music" ensemble in this wonderful recording (Intuit) 1991...The selection "Aurora" has come to be considered a definitive recording by the group. No wonder as one hears the beauty, and symmetry of the woodwind intruments, the wonderful reeds of Paul McCandless...... expressing an awakening like a waterfall rushing..."Beppo" employs a lovely guitar... gently taking you on your own journey within the composition... Ralph Towner at his best here on Classical guitar... Jazz elements are heard on this composition as well.The concluding cut to this CD, "Always, Never, and Forever is contemporary Jazz at it's zenith... This selection makes sense, considering that Oregon at it's basic foundation is steeped in the discipline of Jazz...Aurora means "The rise or dawn of something"... a radiant emission from the upper atmosphere that occurs sporadically over the middle and high latitudes of both hemispheres in the form of luminous bands, streamers or the like... according to The Random House College Dictionary, 1984. The band Oregon is something like this... their music although not merely sporadic, but as one listens, one can hear... the spectrums.. the streams of color and light.. charged.. as it is played.this Cd "Always, Never, and Forever" then, radiates and illuminates... to hear this Cd then becomes a musical experience.This is a CD to add to one's collection."